Sixth General Epistle of the First Presidency

SIXTH GENERAL EPISTLE ¶

Of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Great Salt Lake Valley, to the Saints scattered throughout the Earth, GREETING: ¶

Beloved Brethren:—When the Savior was upon the earth, and his disciples questioned him concerning the sign of his coming, referring to the latter days, Jesus answered them on this wise; there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, saying, lo here! and lo there!! so that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect; go not after them, neither believe them; for as the light of the morning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. ¶

Many of the signs and wonders, and false Christs and false prophets referred to, have already been exhibited, insomuch that many have declared the day when the Son of Man would make his appearance, and many have believed on their testimony and been disappointed; while those who have been filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, having repented of their sins, and received remission thereof by baptism in water, have been watching the gradual progress of the work of the Lord in this last dispensation, which has been like the light of the morning, as it first gilds and eastern horizon, and continues to grow brighter and brighter, and spread farther and father, from the east even unto the west, and so will continue until the whole horizon is illuminated with the clear effulgence of the noon day sun; and the Son of Righteousness shall make his appearance in the midst of his people, according to his own declarations. ¶

The first light of the morning, in this age and the time referred to by the Savior, was the angel who had the everlasting gospel, which was to be preached to all people, preaching and ministering to Joseph Smith, Jr., and commanding Joseph to preach and administer to others even as he had received of the angel; and the light continued to shine and spread, as others believed on the testimony of Joseph, for they repented of their sins, and were baptised by him; and he, having received the holy Priesthood from the Angels, conferred the same Priesthood on the believers, and they, in turn, went forth proclaiming the same gospel, administering the same ordinances, calling on all the faithful to gather themselves together to the upbuilding of Zion, until the light has already been seen in the four quarters of the earth, and is fast being reflected over ever nation and people; and this, the gospel, the plan of salvation is the true light that must shine from the east to the west; that is to every nation, kindred, tongue and people on the earth, before the end will come; and the faithful, the saints, must be gathered together in holy places, and build temples, and do all necessary works to open up the way of life and salvation to the dead as well as the living, before they can complete the work which is given them to do in this dispensation and probation. ¶

When the saints in Zion are sowing and reaping and building, according to counsel, they are causing the light to shine, as emphatically as though they were abroad in foreign nations, preaching and baptizing for the remission of sins. All things needful to be done are but parts of the great whole, which must all be accomplished before men will be prepared to be restored back again into the presence of the Father; and while we again have the pleasing privilege of communicating with our friends, scattered among the nations, we know not how we can more interest, and render our epistle more useful than by devoting a portion to a continuation of the history of things as they do and have existed since our last letter, which is only a reflection of that light which eventually must illuminate the world: for the works of the righteous like gold and silver and precious stones, will remain when time is swallowed up in eternity. ¶

The railway from this city to the mountains was surveyed early in the season, and partly graded, and a considerable share of the timber and rails are on the ground; when the harvest season approached, the work was suspended for want of laborers, but will be resumed as early as possible. The walls of the basement story of the Seventies' hall are in progress, and the walls of the tithing barn are completed: also the walls of the joiners' and paint shop and planing and slitting machine, one hundred and forty by forty-five feet, on the Temple Block, preparatory to building a Temple though all the public would have been hindered for lack of lumber, materials and laborers; and the lack has been occasioned by a majority of the brethren's neglect to pay their tithing, both at home and abroad. It mattereth not where the saints reside, in relation to this principle; it is their duty to devote one tenth of their property when they come in the Church, and afterwards one tenth of their income, for the support of the public works; for the building of temples and other necessary purposes; and if they do not tithe themselves, they have no claim to the blessings and endowments that will flow to the faithful through that medium. ¶

A tithe of the tithing due from the saints, promptly paid, would have enabled us to enclose the Temple block, as we had anticipated, preparatory to commencing the Temple another season; but for lack of means, the plot remains open; and the commencing of the building must continue to be suspended. It is time that the saints understood, and it is the duty of all elders and officers, and especially the bishops, to instruct the saints, that the paying of their tithing is a prominent portion of the labor which is allotted to them, by which they are to secure a future residence in the heaven they are seeking after. To be prepared for a celestial heaven, they want the blessings of a terrestrial Temple, buildt to the name of Israel's God, and without those blessings they cannot be prepared for the greatest glory; and should any one succeed in passing through the Temple, and receive all the blessings and endowments offered to any, that person never having tithed for the building of the Temple or other public good, would have to hear the words of Jesus, enter in at the door, and he that entereth not in at the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber; and the House of the Lord is the door to those who help build it, but those who have the opportunity and do it not, the words of the Savior remain true, if they enter therein; and from henceforth the living may not expect the blessings of the Temple unless they help build it. Your tithing we value not, only as it affects your salvation, and the salvation of the dead. ¶

The council house is completed. The tithing store house is in progress of finishing, and will be ready to be occupied the coming winter, for the several purposes designed. The foundation of a Tabernacle on Temple block, 126 by 64, is nearly completed, and we expect the building will be completed this fall. The Deseret pottery is a successful operation. It is anticipated that the valley materials for making crockery and china ware will be equal to any other place, and that the pottery will soon be able to supply this market. Good potters are wanted. A carding machine is in operation and doing excellent business in this valley, also one in Utah. ¶

We have visited the various counties and settlements generally, this season, and found the saints industrious and prosperous, extending their farming operations as far as possible, and preparing food for the brethren who are coming hither. The harvest will be abundant for all who will have occasion to eat thereof, though many fields have suffered by the drought, the mountain streams having been unusually low this season, and help scarce at the time most needed for irrigation. Harvesters are much wanted, and more threshing machines: and labor saving machinery of all kinds could be used to great advantage in our midst. ¶

A high council was organized at Manti, Sanpete county, April 30, Patriarch Isaac Morley is president of that stake of Zion. Chalk, stone, coal, salt and iron ore, abound in the region of Iron county, also a substance resembling white clay, which answers a good purpose as a substitute for soap. We decided on locating for settlements on Salt Creek, and Corn Creek, between this and Iron county, and companies will leave immediately after conference, to form those settlements. ¶

The birth day of the nation, July 4, was celebrated by the citizens of this valley in a most patriotic manner, on the banks of the Great Salt Lake, about 24 miles from the city, attended with every expression of joy and gladness that could flow from the hearts of a free and virtuous people. ¶

The 24th of July was celebrated as the anniversary of the entrance of the pioneers into the valley of the mountains, and in this much interest was added, over former celebrations, by the appearance of the pioneers in the procession, each carrying the tools, or emblems of tools, utensils and implements used by them on their route, and after their arrival, even to sheaves of grain, the products of their labor. The remembrance of this day is sweet to the saints, as was the Passover to ancient Israel: and the demonstrations of gratitude and thanksgiving on the anniversary were pure, virtuous, holy and without alloy. ¶

Several depredations have been committed by the Indians during the summer, mostly in Tooele valley, where it is computed that more than 5000 dollars worth of cattle and horses have been stolen, and mostly killed or destroyed. So great was the destruction of property that annihilation of the settlement seemed inevitable, unless the savages were met and resisted; which resulted in the death of one white man and a few Indians, which produced a cessation of thefts for a season. Some minor thefts have been committed in other settlements, though, in general, the Indians about the settlements have neither the disposition nor courage to fight the settlers. ¶

Doctor John M. Bernhisel, and the Hon. A. W. Babbit, returned to this place on the 19th of July, accompanied by several officers of the United States Government, for the Territory of Utah, which was chartered last September; and the general government having now received this Territory into their fostering care, the citizens will be relieved of many burdens, hard to be borne by them, in a new country, to which they were compelled to immigrate while destitute of many of the comforts of life. Dr. Bernhisel was appointed by the President of the United States, Special Agent, to expend an appropriation of five thousand dollars, granted by Congress, for the purchase of a library for Utah. Dr. Bernhisel was unanimously elected delegate to Congress by the Territory, on the 4th of August, and on the first of September, left in the mail coach for Washington City; the same day that a commencement was made to lay the foundation for a State House on Union Square, in this city, towards the erection of which Congress has appropriated $20,000. ¶

The Semi-annual Conference of the church, commenced at the Bowery in this city, Sunday, Sept. 7th, at 10 a. m., and continued from day to day till Wednesday the 10th inst, when it adjourned to the 6th of October next, to meet at the same place. President Brigham Young presided, during the conference, which was composed of a vast assembly of the Saints, from all the settlements, and the various proceedings were marked with strong feelings, in preachings, teachings, testimonies, and in sustaining all the general authorities of the church, as they were last April, except Lewis Abbot deceased, and Elisha H. Groves, removed to Iron co.; and Wm. Snow and Winslow Farr were appointed to fill their vacancies in the high council. ¶

Nathaniel H. Felt and John Banks, were appointed presiding traveling bishops, to travel in the church, and among the branches, counseling the bishops, and seeing that they are faithful in their calling, in gathering tithing, and causing it to be forwarded to the general office; in keeping correct accounts; and they will settle with the several bishops from time to time, and report the same to the presiding bishop. ¶

Ezra T. Benson and Jedediah M. Grant were appointed agents to gather the poor, and President O. Hyde's agency was continued. Elders Samuel W. Richards, Willard Snow, Abram O. Smoot, Dorr P. Curtiss, and Vincent Shurtliff, were appointed missions to the British Isles, and Daniel Cairn to Germany. President John Young received a mission to Ohio to preach the gospel and gather saints; and Elder John L. Dunyon to preach the Gospel to the States. The conference voted to observe the word of wisdom, and particularly to dispense with the use of tea, coffee, snuff, and tobacco. ¶

The conference also voted to commence anew with their tithings and consecrations, and that within thirty days each saint should make a consecration of one tenth of his property, and one tenth of his interest or income ever after, and that those who will not thus tithe themselves be cut off from the Church. ¶

Brethren, pray for us. Sisters, pray for us. Be humble, prayerful, watchful, diligent and persevering in every good word and work; and in the end you shall overcome all evil, and sit down with us as in our Father's Kingdom. Elders of Israel, lift up your voices like trumpets, open your mouths wide and proclaim salvation to all the ends of the earth, and you shall bring many souls to Zion. ¶

It is our wish to see all the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the General Conference in this city, on the 6th of April, 1853; and we hope the brethren will be able to arrange the affairs of the various missions in such a manner that no injury will be sustained by the saints, while they shall spend a season with us, in council. And we pray the Eternal Father, to bless the saints throughout the earth, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶

BRIGHAM YOUNG, HEBER C. KIMBALL, WILLARD RICHARDS. ¶

G. S. L. City, Sept. 22, 1851. ¶